Original subtitles

Tell Milo, no.

I won't do it. Milo won't like that.

What did the review board measure today?

29-something?

29 feet, 8 inches.

And she missed.

Twice.

She was down, yes.

She was dying.

All right, she was dying.

It's all right, my friend.

At least she was decent until you started messing with her.

Just now.

Murderer. Murderer.

Cynthia, you get home early, you hear?

If I can, of course, Harold.

Goodbye, Harold.

Take care.

What the hell does that suppose to mean, huh?

Bye.

Well, I'm just going to start right in this area here. I think it'll work out.

Yeah. Hey, there's a good taco stand right there in that corner. It's not

going to be me again. Oh, Matt.

How nice.

I hear Yosemite is beautiful this time of year. It's a real picture postcard.

In the meantime, how do you feel about cruising the south side with Peter here

tonight? Well, they got postcards there.

Well, no, but we'll drop you a wire. Dear Crowley, thanks a lot.

As long as you sign it with love, sweetheart.

How else?

Hey, gang.

Hi, Cynthia.

Hey. Joe.

Greetings.

Hi.

How you doing, Peppa?

Hi, fellas.

Hey, don't tell me peace has broken out somewhere.

No, but it's been pretty quiet since that big pharmaceutical ripoff.

How do you like working with this nutty bunch, Cynthia?

Yeah, okay. Listen, Joe, Cynthia, take the same neighborhood. Nobody knows it

better than you guys. Sooner or later, some of that Demerola speed's got to

show up. Unless it's gone.

I mean, you know, out of town or something.

Yeah, well, until we know better, let's just assume it's still here.

I'll be checking around 10 o'clock, okay?

All right, have fun. Bye.

And how about you, Sarge? What lovely part of the city do you plan to cover

tonight? Well, I thought maybe I might start down around restaurant row and

then work myself up to the music center. How's that sound?

Good. Sure, I'd like to see what those, uh, the highfalutin, what they do when

they get together. Uh-huh.

What you want is a free steak and a zoptic ballerina.

You'll be the first to know, honey.

Tell you the truth, I'd do anything to get free tickets to Chorus Line.

See you later.

Hey, we're going for a ride. Sure, that's a great idea.

The whole place doesn't seem to have changed much.

Except I hear a lot of the old brow has moved away.

Something the matter?

Hmm?

Oh, no.

Look,

I have to find a phone in about ten minutes.

Might be something, you know?

You got a snitch?

Yeah. Hey, you guys have not got it using more than we do.

it's kind of hard to build up a decent list isn't it yeah good clean fun huh

heavy security looks like pharmacies doctors dentists and you know there

aren't an awful lot of drugs in any one office or on a whole floor for that

matter but still they hit them i guess they go for whatever they can get huh

What's up?

He wants a meet.

In the alley off 85th and Clark.

Did he say when?

As soon as we can get there.

Okay, let's not keep the man waiting.

Joel.

Wait. Let me go in alone. I don't want to scare him.

Be careful. I'll back you up.

Over here.

What's up?

Tell Milo, no.

I won't do it.

Milo won't like that.

Cynthia?

Cynthia?

Cynthia, why? Why didn't you let me handle it?

It's all right, my friend.

That's it.

She didn't seem to be hurting.

She just said, it's all right, my friend.

Shouldn't have let her go in there alone.

Oh, come on, Joe.

She asked you to do it.

Here's some coffee.

Pete's right, Joe.

I mean, it was her meeting. I mean, obviously something went wrong with the

snitch.

Pep, read the rundown on the snitch, will you?

George Laforte, age 33, six drug busts in the last 20 months. Did time.

One to six in Leavenworth, out in 18 months.

One to ten Folsom, out in 22 months.

Suspected of pushing, but narcotics gave him a pass for over a year.

Captain Wilson there said that Cynthia's been working with this guy Laforte for a

long time, Joe.

Tonight he was obviously high on something.

I better go see her husband.

Before he hears it from somebody else.

I'll go along with you.

We'll come along, Chuck.

I got a statement.

What's the story about you and Cynthia Marv once being involved? Come on,

you've got nothing to say to me. Give him a break, will you? Give him a break.

Joe, come on.

Joe, stop!

Murderer! Murderer!

Murderer!

I'm sorry.

Would you please leave them alone? Let them have their privacy.

It wasn't Joe's fault, Mark. It was nobody's fault. What do you mean, man?

Nobody's fault. It was his.

It was his.

Joe, you always wanted my wife, but you could never get her. So you went out

and... You gotta believe me, Harold.

There was nothing between Cynthia and me.

Nothing. I don't believe you. You understand?

I don't believe you!

Hi, honey.

Joe?

You okay?

Pete, what's happening?

I better answer the phone.

Yeah, hello, Pete.

Bill, yeah, right.

All right, I'll tell him.

That was Bill. He just got orders to, uh...

Transfer to office duty.

What?

I'll tell you about it.

Did he say for how long?

Just as long as it takes to appoint a review board and make a decision.

Let me make some coffee.

Come on, honey. Let's sit down.

I'll get the coffee. This is standard procedure.

Day two, day four.

That's two bullets.

Close.

Joe, I want to go through this one more time.

When you came up in that direction, how many shots do you think had already been

fired?

Three.

That's two from Cynthia Martin's gun and one from the assailant's gun, right?

That's right. In that order?

That's right.

How many shots did the assailant fire at you that, Joe?

Two, maybe three.

I'm not sure.

And then you fired three shots back. Is that correct, Joe?

Yes. Did you aim at the gun flash?

Just to the right of it, the way they teach you at the academy.

Works fine unless it's a left-hander shooting at you.

How many feet did he say he measured between the two bodies?

What was the measure distance?

29 feet 8 inches.

Cynthia missed clean both times.

Okay, Joe, that about does it.

See you later. Yeah, one more thing, Joe.

Ballistics is going to have to test your guns.

Why is that?

To compare the bullet with the one that killed the assailant.

Can I have it?

Well,

I guess internal affairs is negative.

11 o'clock, buddy.

I hope I.A.D. fries your butt, Stiles.

Back off me, Burroughs.

On a lot of our minds, brother.

Harold Martin was my partner.

And his wife was a decent cop.

At least she was decent till you started messing with her.

Till I did what?

Harold says you... You put your dirty hands on her.

Anybody else? Huh?

Come on.

Anybody else? Hey, hey, Joe, Joe.

Shuttle down, man. What's the matter with you?

What about the rest of you guys? You got something to do?

Let's get at it, all right?

It also says here in the shooting review board report that you were positive

about Officer Martin's firing first.

twice before the return fire that killed her.

Is that correct?

Yes.

When you first saw Officer Martin, she had been mortally wounded, is that

right? I didn't know that at the time. Just answer the question.

She was down, yes.

She was dying.

All right, she was dying.

Investigator Stiles states he then made sure the assailant was dead before his

next move, which was to go to the aid of Officer Martin.

Now, why did you do that?

To make sure he wouldn't be doing any more shooting.

At you or at Officer Martin? At both.

Is it true that you and Officer Martin knew each other in high school, that you

both dated together a number of times before both of you married other people?

Yes. And you continued to see her after her marriage to Harold Martin? We were

friends, the three of us.

And if you continue this line of questioning, I swear to you I'll

exercise my rights.

Perhaps you don't realize that...

From the IED's point of view, you have no rights at this time.

The right I had in mind is that of one man to flatten another who is

deliberately impugning his honor and integrity.

Impugning? That has a nice ring to it, Investigator Stiles. I hope you don't

intend becoming physical. Think of how that would look on your record.

This is just a preliminary discussion as far as we've gone.

Unless there's any part of your story you want to change.

No.

All right.

Please keep yourself available at all times.

Make sure your immediate superiors know where to reach you at any hour of the

day or night.

Joe, how'd he go?

Well, all I can say is I feel guilty till I can prove I'm innocent.

And frankly, old buddy, I don't know how to go about doing that.

Joe, Bill, look at these.

Cynthia's shooting scores for the past couple of months.

There were shots in the blood.

75 feet.

What did the review board measure today?

29-something?

29 feet, 8 inches.

And she missed.

Twice.

Well, looks like we got a couple of things to do.

We got to have her gun checked for accuracy.

We got to be there when they post the body.

Autopsy.

Why an autopsy?

To see if she was on something, Joe.

She wasn't a user.

Oh?

As far as I know.

I know we don't need Martin's permission, but it'd be best if we tell

him, don't you think?

About the autopsy, yeah.

Yeah, it's a good idea.

Really good soon, huh?

Yeah. Joe?

I'll wait in the car.

Come on.

And for a while, the both of us went out and said, you know, she fell in love

with Harold and they got married.

And I was the best man.

But you stayed friends?

Yeah, then I met Harriet and we got married, and he was my best man.

But after the kids came along, we didn't see much of each other.

We didn't have time.

Then Howell left the force to join the Marines.

So he was wounded, wasn't he?

Yeah, but he recovered.

And he passed the physical to return to active duty on the force.

But he decided not to.

You know why?

I don't know.

We never talked about it.

You are out of your mind, man. Do you know what you're saying?

Harold, we checked Cynthia's shooting scores.

She was an expert.

So she was an expert.

She missed by a foot and a half at close range. And that couldn't have happened

unless there was something wrong with her. Or wrong with her gun.

Okay, they're checking that out. But I got to tell you, Harold, if that comes

back okay, then they got to do an autopsy. I'm sorry.

So why are you telling me, huh?

You're going to do it anyway. Why are you coming in and twisting the knife in

my guts, huh?

Because we all loved Cynthia.

We loved her. It's just common courtesy that we wanted to come by and tell you.

Hell, we'll be in touch, okay?

Yep.

Wait a minute. Now, wait a minute. Now, you listen to me.

You leave her alone.

Please leave her alone.

I mean, Cynthia never took nothing for no type of pain. Not even aspirin. Man,

you're going out now to cut her. It's no good.

Tell me one thing.

Why ain't that Joe Stiles here, huh?

Yeah, I'll tell you why.

Because he's responsible, that's why.

If it weren't for him, my wife would still be alive.

He's outside in the car, and it wasn't his fault.

He'd like to tell you that himself if you'd let him. You want him to come in?

No! No, no!

Now, you get out, both of you. You too.

I'm awfully sorry, Harold.

Where the hell have you been?

This is the 10th time I've tried to get you.

Who is this?

Martin, Harold Martin.

I got to see Milo, and I got to see him right now. Hang on.

12Y90 to 12Y50.

Go ahead, 90.

12Y50, that weapon you had checked for accuracy, the report is in. Do you want

it now?

Yeah, let's have it.

Positive all the way. Alignment and rifling perfect.

Bench firing 97% at 25 yards.

Roger, 90.

Oh, all right.

And I know that Georgie LaFord was getting it from you. He was your man.

Yeah? What if he was?

Well, he was my wife's only source for the Demerol.

And now, uh... And now they're both dead, and you just got to help me, my

little man. You really got to help me, man.

Come on, Harold.

First, two questions. What happened the other night? Everything was set.

I don't know. I ain't got no idea.

They had a beef, maybe.

Question number two. Why should I help you? I don't know your damn thing.

I helped you some on jobs.

And I'll do it again if you want.

I don't want.

They're not reliable.

No junkies.

Listen, Milo.

I need, man. I need that.

It's expensive.

Okay, I'll pay you when I can.

No, not good enough. No!

Now, listen to me.

I'm through with begging, you understand that?

Man, if you turn me down, I will blow the whistle all over you, you know?

Yeah. Now, see, the cops are listening to me. You know that.

You will do that to me and Cynthia?

Only if I have to, my love.

Please, please.

I was only kidding.

You know that.

Thanks, Milo, man.

You'll never regret this, man. Thanks.

You'll never regret it.

Hey, Willie.

You said I wouldn't regret it. Make sure I don't, huh?

You okay?

Yeah, he's napping.

Joe, too.

Boy, they are quite a pair.

Deborah, what are you doing here this time of day?

Well... Maybe it's none of my business, and you can tell me so, but... Well,

I've... I know that you've read about Joe and Cynthia.

What everybody's read.

Yeah, so what are you trying to say?

I'm not sure how much Joe brings home of... Shop talk.

Our work gets pretty dull sometimes.

But... Well, we were together on a stakeout not too long ago.

I don't know how it came up, but he started talking about you, meeting you,

marrying you.

I forget his exact words, but he said something like, You know, Pepper, when I

open that door and see that beautiful and good wife and I hold her in my arms,

then I know I finally made it.

He said, man, then I found out what real happy is.

Loves you very much.

Pepper, I think you should leave now.

Because for the first time since this whole thing started happening, I think

I'm going to start crying.

Harriet.

Joe didn't have anything going with Cynthia.

I could say I gave it the office, but I won't.

Yeah.

Harold Martin just turned up.

Dead.

Bullet through the back of his head.

Sometime between 5 and 8 p.m. Wrists bound behind him.

One bullet entered the back of the head.

45. Death was instantaneous.

Doc, listen.

Was he murdered where his body was found?

No. The body was moved from wherever the homicide occurred to the city dump.

There's another thing, Crowley.

Martin's system was so full of Demerol that it probably would have killed any

normal person of his size and weight.

Demerol? He's an addict.

Of course, there's no way I can tell how long, but my guess would be a number of

years.

Doc, what about the autopsy on Cynthia Martin?

Well, no evidence of drugs whatsoever.

Not even alcohol.

No, Officer Martin wasn't under the influence of any chemical or medication

at the time of death.

Okay, Doc. Thanks very much.

Crowley.

Harold Martin

was wounded in the war, right?

That's exactly what I was thinking.

And from there, he was taken to a field hospital where the wound was treated

thoroughly. No sign of infection.

The medication was tetracycline and Demerol. Excuse me.

Sorry. Demerol administered intravenously.

Now, here it is.

Recuperation, 14 weeks in the San Diego Naval Hospital.

Released 10 November 1973 with a strong recommendation that he enroll in the

Federal Methadone Rehabilitation Program.

But he was addicted, right?

Well, I don't come right out and say it, but that's what it means.

What about the methadone? Any record of his taking the program?

Yeah.

And not until February 1974, though. He came in the clinic and asked for it

himself.

Six weeks, apparent cure.

No, no, wait, wait, wait, no. He was back in February of 1975.

Dropped out after three treatments.

And he's never been back since?

No.

Nice place.

Yeah. The old soldier's home's over there, you know. Oh.

They have many a baseball game on this lot.

Baseball? What position?

Tailback.

Oh. You're about a million miles away, aren't you?

Where were you just now?

Yeah, I was... I was back in that alley with Cynthia.

You know something?

That George of the Four who shot her. Yeah?

It wasn't just her snitch.

I think he was her connection.

I'd say that's very possible, Pep.

Very possible.

So she got her dimmer off her hair off. More and more, all along.

Until she probably couldn't take it anymore. I know I couldn't.

She was an expert, even if Laforte was moving.

At that distance, there's no way she could have missed him.

Except on purpose.

What you're talking about is a thought I've had in the back of my mind.

We're talking about suicide, right?

Yeah.

But there's no way that internal affairs, anybody else is going to buy

that. You know that. We can prove Harold Martin was an addict.

That's not evidence.

That would only be evidence if Harold Martin could testify.

It's a little late for that.

All right, what if we could find a Georgie Laforte source?

Then maybe we could find Harold's killer.

Yeah.

It's still not going to help Joe an inch.

And it didn't bother you that they were assigned to work together?

No. Should it have?

Even though you know your husband had probably had an affair before you and

your husband were married?

I never knew any such thing.

Surely you must have suspected it.

Cynthia Martin was a very attractive woman.

She was also my friend.

You know, you're being very insulting.

Does Joe, Investigator Stiles, ever talk in his sleep, ma'am?

How the hell would I know if he talks in his sleep?

I never slept with him.

Neither of you ever took a little nap while on duty.

You deserve commendations. Oh, really? You know what you deserve?

Let me tell you something.

I would be content.

No, that's not true. I would be delighted if Joe Stiles was my partner

until the day I retire.

You know what I mean?

I trust him with my life.

So does Cynthia Martin.

And that's about all I can tell you.

Joe is a very dear man and...

His wife is one of my closest friends.

I don't see how you could possibly get me to say anything malicious about the

entire family.

To be honest with you, may I be honest with you?

Oh, sure, of course.

Your technique is lousy.

Um, insult and or accusation is pretty tired, you know.

I've often wondered how they pick you over at Internal Affairs.

So? All a part of police procedure.

Selections are made on the basis of personality, psychological stability,

and there's a lot of training involved.

And promotions.

You know something, Sergeant? You would be sensational in I.A.D.

Oh, yeah.

Absolutely.

Sergeant Peterson, what's your first name?

Carl.

Carl.

Don't do me any favors.

And by now, we've questioned most of your associates about you.

And my wife.

And a lot of old acquaintances, including your high school basketball

coach who said you once punched him in the nose.

It was bad news.

And a lousy coach.

But then again, we all make mistakes, don't we?

Like you did the night Cynthia Martin was killed.

That's what we're calling it, a mistake.

One more thing, Stiles.

Your case still isn't closed.

Case.

What case?

Investigation.

Okay?

Your investigation is not closed.

Hey, Joe.

Hey, congratulations.

We heard the good news. Great, Joe.

Thanks, but did you see this?

I've been sort of desensitized.

Yeah, well, uh... The chief doesn't want you to come back on the team till we get

this narcotics thing wrapped up.

I forgot to say we will.

We will.

It's better.

Night watch.

Four to midnight.

Monroe District. The pits. But you're worth it, Joe.

It's about an hour and a half from home.

The kids will probably forget what I look like.

They said the investigation is not closed yet.

Oh, they always say that. That's the second thing they learn right after they

learn to tie their shoes.

Well, I try and keep my spirits high.

You guys take care.

See you, sir.

Okay.

Remember that cop whose picture was in the paper with Martin and his wife?

The guy who wasted Georgie LaForte.

Yeah, Stiles. What about him?

Well, this you're gonna love.

They got him working as a detective at night, down on Monroe.

What shift?

Four to midnight.

Hiya, Mitch. Manny.

Hi.

New partner? Yeah. Meet Joe Stiles.

Manny. Stiles? Manny.

Stiles? Hey, wait a minute. I think I have a message for you.

Yeah, here.

You know whose number this is?

Man said if a cop named Stiles come in, I'll have him call.

Thanks.

This is Investigator Joe Stiles. Someone from this number called me. A friend of

yours wants to talk to you. He'll call you tomorrow and set up a meet.

What's it about?

Thanks for coming by.

Cynthia Martin.

What about her? Just a second.

You gotta check and see if you're wired. This is strictly confidential.

It's all right. Leave the piece alone.

Okay.

Okay.

Can I fix you a drink, Joe?

I heard you got bum rap.

Look, cut the cheap con.

You got a story to say, say it and make it simple.

All right.

First, George Laforte worked for me.

Second, I knew he was your chick snitch.

Third, he was also a supplier.

Demerol for the husband for years.

So far, you haven't told me anything I don't already know.

But you gotta know this.

She never paid a dime for that stuff.

She owed me, and she was grateful, and she was going to perform a certain

service for me, but I think I got stiffed. As a matter of fact, she had

you out front, too.

So now, I want you to perform that certain service.

Joe, you don't have anybody to testify that Cynthia Martin was dealing in

drugs. Now, maybe I can produce that witness, somebody to testify in court.

You destroy her reputation, you restore your own.

Keep talking.

Not far from where you're patrolling.

There's some merchandise I want to pick up.

So on a certain night, at a certain hour, you're ready over help.

You follow me.

Way ahead of you.

The call pulls the patrol cars in the area away, strips the convoy from the

merchandise, the drugs, right?

Cynthia Martin would do that for you.

Go on, get out of here.

Whether he decides to play or not, we're gonna make our next move. Today.

I don't like it, Milo.

I never have.

I don't care whether you like it. You just do it, dummy.

There we go.

Hello. Hey, baby.

What is it, Sylvester?

Hey, Joe.

Thought you'd like to know if the wife and the kid are okay.

What? What?

Thought you'd like to talk to them.

It's your husband.

He's all shook up.

Joe?

Harriet? Are you all right?

Yes, I'm okay.

What about Petey? Is he all right?

Petey's fine, too.

Joe? The man says to do exactly what he wants you to do, and then everything

will be okay.

Hey, you hear that, baby?

Everything's gonna be okay.

It's real simple.

Just don't hurt my family.

All you gotta do, at 8.30 p.m. sharp, corner 12th and Branch, you get on your

little car radio.

You say, Officer needs help.

Okay?

Had to get down to finance.

Some hang-up with the last voucher I turned in. I knew they'd catch up with

you someday. Yeah.

Hey, Joe called.

That's when I was to call him.

Hey, you take care of it, will you?

I'll be back in a minute.

Yeah?

Uh, Joe, it's Pepper. How are you?

Oh, uh, I'm fine, Peppa.

Uh,

what is it, Joe? We just got in and got your message. Is there something wrong?

Hmm?

Uh, no.

No, um, it wasn't important.

You sure?

Yeah, yeah.

Joe?

The shift didn't start before.

He's probably still in the parking lot. I got the feeling that whatever was

bothering him, he decided not to talk about it. One of us had been in the

office.

There ain't no way I'm gonna do that.

So what do you want to do?

Pick up where we left off?

Hey, Joe!

What's happening here?

What's the problem here? Mitch is out.

I've been assigned to ride with Mr.

Stiles.

Look, if you guys don't want to work together, it's very simple. One of you

goes to the watch commander and asks for reassignment. You know that. Not me. I'm

taking the assignment.

What about you, Burroughs?

I'll do it.

I don't want any part of him.

He's a real winner, isn't he?

Hey, look, guys, I'm sorry, okay? I-I-I just shouldn't be so touchy.

Maybe you have it right, Joe.

Why don't you go in and ask for another partner?

Hey, Joe.

What's happening, friend?

Huh? What's the matter?

Look, something big is going down, and I gotta be a part of it.

They got Harriet and my baby.

What?

Can everybody see this all right?

They wait till they take the drugs off the train and are secured in the

warehouse here.

Then when the trucks move out to make delivery, that's when they hijack them.

Now lately, our security measures have put a stop to that.

Now what they're gonna try to do is to steal that protection away from the

trucks.

Okay, at 8.30, the truck and our convoy move out.

Now everybody's got the plan.

I just want to be sure of one thing. I want to be sure you guys, the patrol

cars, make it look as real as possible.

When you hear Stiles here yell for help, you make it code three all the way.

You got that?

Any questions?

Okay, get back out on the streets.

Oh, 13A45, you take the intersection of Acacia and 96th.

47, you kill at the other end of the street.

Joe? About 6.40.

I think you better get back to the diner.

Look, when they call, you just be sure that they play by our rules, you

understand?

Bill,

Harriet and the baby has to be in plain sight on the opposite corner from you 20

seconds after I call for help.

Otherwise, I cancel out.

That's right.

Pep, you go with Joe.

Everybody else goes with me.

It'll work, Joe.

We'll make it work.

Okay, Joe. Now.

Charlie 17.

Officer needs help.

12th and Branch.

Officer needs help. 12th and Branch.

I repeat, officer needs help. 12th and Branch.

Hold it. You go on ahead.

We got an officer needs help call. We'll catch up.

Joe?

Are you okay?

Are you alright?

Yeah, I think so.

Okay, friend, we'll take this load from here. Put up your hands where we can see

it. Okay, let's go.

Get out of the truck.

Come on, come on.

Okay, get him into the car.

Let's get at it.

Let's go, let's go.

Let's move it.

Let's go.

Let's go.

How'd it go, Bill?

Terrific. Are you kidding? How are you feeling?

Hey, Bill. Hey, Joe.

You okay?

Well, I'm getting there.

Everything go okay?

Fantastic.

Besides what narcotics is going to do to Sylvester, we got him on two counts of

conspiracy and kidnapping and murder when his little friends get through with

him. Great.

Hey, listen, can I fix you a cup of coffee? Sweetheart, I'd love to have

some of your coffee. We got work to do.

Joe, what's the matter? What kind of father are you with your kids at this

time of night?

Yeah, I gotta get my family to bed.

We got work to do. Let's go, baby. You go with Denny this time.

Reports, I hate them.

Joe,

by the way.

Yeah? Your assignment's been changed again.

You're back with us, buddy.

I'll have to let you know about that.

Yeah, you do that. See you in the morning. Good night, sweetheart. See you

later.

Take care, son. All right.

Joey? Joey, come on now.

It's time to go to bed, buddy.

Come on.

These reports are going to kill me.

I was using my last 520 form.

What's on your mind?

The other day outside Veterans Hospital, that nutty idea we had about Cynthia

Martin. Well, I haven't mentioned it to anybody else.

Neither have I.

Why don't we just leave it that way, okay?